Author: automata

The BIG Forum is happening in Ottawa!

The BIG Forum is happening in Ottawa!

The BIG Forum in Ottawa, May 23 to 26, 2024 Photo Credit: BIG Forum

Welcome to another addition of Small Change where we discuss issues not covered, or at least not in-depth, in mainstream media.

Today I’m speaking with Sheila Regehr about a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) and the upcoming BIG Forum in Ottawa, Ontario.Regehr is a retired federal public servant who worked on income security as well as taxation, child benefits, and non-market work. She is the former Executive Director of the National Council of Welfare as well as a Founding member of the Basic Income Canada Network and chair […]

Is a National Guaranteed Income on the Horizon?

Is a National Guaranteed Income on the Horizon?

There’s now strong evidence that giving direct cash support to low-income families greatly reduces poverty.

by Glenn Daigon

April 25, 20242:23 PMHere are some anecdotes from participants in a Georgia program designed to support Black women with low incomes: “I was able to pursue my passion for animals by enrolling in school to become a veterinarian. Without the extra funds from this program, I wouldn’t have been able to take this step.” “The month that we received our first payment, my daughter became ill, and I missed LOTS of work to care for her and take her to appointments and […]

Lehigh Valley companies turn to automation to address labor shortage

Lehigh Valley companies turn to automation to address labor shortage

Participants explore the various vendor booths at the Manufacturers Resource…

Kris Jackson, a representative with Cross Trainer Learning, uses the…

Kris Jackson, a representative with Cross Trainer Learning, talks with… Kris Jackson, a representative with Cross Trainer Learning, talks with… Participants explore the various vendor booths at the Manufacturers Resource… Derek Light, a representative with Keyence, talks with Arthur Deets… Participants explore the various vendor booths at the Manufacturers Resource… Devin Gundrum,of Phillips Robotics, talks with Robert Wolff during the… Gene Kaschak,of MCR, talks with Matt Kimchak during the Manufacturers… […]

Universal Basic Income: Path to Social Economic Development

Universal Basic Income: Path to Social Economic Development

How would you feel if a certain amount of money is automatically credited in your bank account every month? Would you rather spend it to fulfil your needs or would you like to spend it on fun activities? This was the dilemma faced by the Government of India with respect to Universal Basic Income. Introduction:-

The Annual Economic Survey of 2016-17 highlighted a new concept of Universal Basic Income which became a matter of debate among economists and scholars. Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a social welfare program where all citizens or residents of a country regularly receive a […]

Will Robots Replace Warehouse Workers?

Will Robots Replace Warehouse Workers?

At a warehouse located near Luton, a new and innovative system has been implemented to revolutionise the way orders are fulfilled for online shoppers . Recently highlighted in a BBC article, this advanced system showcases how robots navigate grids to quickly gather items for delivery. Unlike the early days of online shopping where human workers manually collected items, these robots perform the task with speed and precision.

Powered by sophisticated software and artificial intelligence, these robots operate alongside human staff to streamline the order fulfilment process. They navigate through the warehouse, selecting and delivering items to robotic arms equipped with […]

Sam Altman’s “one-person unicorn” and the future of the office

Sam Altman’s “one-person unicorn” and the future of the office

Sam Altman’s “one-person unicorn” and the future of the office

Back in January 2024, OpenAI’s Sam Altman captured headlines for his speculation at the coming of the world’s first one-person billion-dollar company, enabled by advances in AI. This follows a series of notably low-headcount businesses reaching this status in the past, including Instagram’s 2012 sale to Facebook ( with a 13-person headcount ).

Luke Graham · Follow Published in Pi Labs Insights ·4 min read·5 hours ago–Technology and automation have had a longstanding impact on employee headcount, with industrial and agricultural examples dating back generations (even centuries). Critics […]

Fare Game: Why China’s Ride-Share Boom Is Leaving Drivers Behind

Fare Game: Why China’s Ride-Share Boom Is Leaving Drivers Behind

FEATURES

As oversaturation hits the world’s largest ride-hailing market, drivers are struggling to cope with low earnings, long hours, and increased health risks. Despite government efforts to regulate the industry, experts call for a more comprehensive approach.

Apr 25, 2024 #labor #economy #business SHANGHAI — After more than a decade of building roads, high-speed railways, and skyscrapers, Yang Tian left his job in construction last year for what he hoped would be a less grueling role as a ride-sharing driver in Shanghai.But just months into the new gig, Yang was working relentless 14-hour shifts for monthly savings of around 3,500 […]

BlackRock wants to make it easier to get paycheck-like income from your retirement savings

BlackRock wants to make it easier to get paycheck-like income from your retirement savings

Patchareeporn Sakoolchai | Moment | Getty Images BlackRock wants to make it easier to get paycheck-like income from your retirement savings One of Americans’ biggest retirement fears is running out of money.

BlackRock hopes a new strategy to allow for paycheck-like distributions from retirement savings will help.

BlackRock , the largest asset manager, has launched a new product to help workers their retirement savings into a regular income stream that mimics the paycheck they receive during their working years.Experts say while the new choice could be helpful, its success will be defined by whether consumers actually take advantage of […]

5 Key Economic Impacts And Strategic Implications Of AI For Leaders

5 Key Economic Impacts And Strategic Implications Of AI For Leaders

Liz Bacelar and Sophia the robot as a special guest of the Impact18 congress held in ICE Congress The economic impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not just significant, but also complex, influencing various aspects from individual firms to global financial structures. Understanding these impacts is crucial for business leaders as it can guide their decision-making and help them adapt to the evolving business landscape. Strategically, AI acts as a catalyst for innovation and a disruptive force, reshaping industries and altering competitive dynamics. A leader should know the following 5 economic impacts and strategic implications of AI. 1. Productivity […]

Can SaaS Selling Be Automated? As Long As It’s Personal

Can SaaS Selling Be Automated? As Long As It’s Personal

getty In the past few years, market conditions have caused many SaaS companies to shift focus from growth at all costs to profitability. Pair this trend with the fast growth of automation and generative AI, and many sales teams have adopted these tools in a race to do more with less. Any quick change raises a lot of questions. Have the scales tipped too far toward automation versus the human touch? Which areas of SaaS sales can be automated, and which ones never will?

A recent McKinsey survey looked at what top-performing B2B tech and telecom companies do compared to […]